Episode 5 of Radio Golden is in the wild … I wasn’t able to join this time, but Pamela and Matt covered the beltway bill, what’s happening at the community garden, the tobacco regulation measure that City Council just passed, and more. They also had an interesting and provocative conversation with Jami Boarman, the principle of one of Golden’s public charter schools.
Radio Golden #5: the beltway, Golden’s charter schools, tobacco, & more!
Radio Golden Episode #4: The “My Eminent Domain is Bigger Than Yours” edition, special guest Nathan Richie of the Golden History Museums, youth access to tobacco products, and more.
We published Episode #4 about a week ago. We had a great time, focusing mostly on the latest shenanigans and on a terrific interview with Golden History Museums director Nathan Richie.
We also experimented in this episode with a different format. In response to a listener suggestion (thanks Eric!), instead of a shorter episode with a separate extended interview, we recorded everything in a single podcast. The show is longer (about 50 minutes) but we didn’t break up our conversation with our guest. Let us know what you think!
On episode #4 you’ll hear:
- 02:03 – Jeffco’s beltway shenanigans at the State Legislature
- 14:21 – GURA’s new parking lot
- 18:12 – Windy Saddle’s request for a liquor license for their outdoor seating
- 22:35 – A conversation with Nathan Richie, the director of the Golden History Museums
- 40:45 – Getting Involved
- 44:00 – The Mailbox
- 44:37 – Community Chatter
And here are some links related to some of the issues we brought up during podcast:
- Radio Golden gets a mention on the Westword blog.
- Check out the Golden History Museums website.
- Read about the 360-degree panoramic view of Golden that Matt asked about.
- For information about the new City of Golden flag design contest or to submit an entry, send an email to Nathan Richie (nrichie@goldenhistorymuseums.org). The deadline for submissions is April 30.
- For information about events at Woody’s in Golden, including The Breakfast Club on May 1, check out the Woody’s online calendar.
- You can also get more information about the Chihuly exhibit at Foothills Art Center.
New Openings on Golden’s Economic Development Commission and Marketing Stakeholder Commission
There are two new opportunities to get involved in local government here in Golden. The first is an opening on the Economic Development Commission, which focuses on retaining and attracting primary jobs in Golden. The application deadline is 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 10.
The Golden City Council is also accepting applications for the Marketing Stakeholder Commission. Their focus is managing the city’s community marketing program. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on May 10.
The Bell Middle School iSTEM Open House and Other Upcoming Events
The open house – focused on this very exciting new iSTEM program at Bell Middle School – starts at Bell at 6:30 p.m. It’s especially geared for students starting 7th grade next year, but it’s open to student, parent, or community member that might want to get involved.
May 3, City Council Study Session
City Hall at 7 p.m. The agenda includes the Planning Commission annual work plan and the city’s long-term financial and budget policies. You can view the agenda and watch the live screencast on the city’s website.
May 5, Coffee With a Councilor
You’ll find City Councilors from District 1 (South Golden), including Saoirse Charis-Graves and other members of the City Council at Read, Write and Brew starting at 9 a.m. It’s a great informal opportunity to chat with your City Council representatives about issues on the City Council agenda or whatever else is on your mind.
May 5-6, Golden Community Pride Days
Community Pride Days runs from 8am-3:30pm both days this weekend up at the City Shops just off of Golden Gate Canyon Road.
The city will accept, free of charge from Golden residents, rubbish, construction materials, scrap metal, up to four tires per household, old electronics (computers, televisions, monitors, cell phones, etc.), untreated lumber and tree limbs, and more. You can’t drop off hazardous materials or appliances, but you can make other arrangements for both. For a complete list and all the details, visit the Community Pride Days web page.
May 10, City Council Business Meeting
City Hall at 7 p.m. The agenda tentatively includes adopting updated long-term budget and debt management policies, an awards presentation by the American Public Works Association, and a replat request at 2200 Jackson Street (the new senior housing development).
May 17, City Council Business Meeting and Study Session
City Hall at 7 p.m. The agenda tentatively includes an introduction of a delegation from Kosovo, the awarding of i-Neighborhood matching grants, an update from the Sustainability Advisory Board, the presentation of the Renewable Energy Technical Advisory Committee, interviews for the Economic Development Commission and Community Marketing Stakeholder Committee, and a discussion of the fines for dog off-leash violations.
Golden’s 2012 Sustainability Awards
Every year the Sustainability Advisory Board presents Sustainability Awards to Golden residents and organizations. The three recipients this year are all extremely worthy.
From Mayor Sloan’s newsletter:
Three 2012 Sustainability awardees were recognized at the [City Council] meeting. Compass Montessori School (through teacher Erik Albright) was singled out for its environmental education program that fosters students interest and efforts in recycling, food production, farm animals, wildland restoration, and energy conservation. Barbara Rogers, a resident of Golden Ridge Condominiums, was given an award to celebrate her active organization of single-stream recycling for more than 370 condominiums. And Don Cameron, local resident and high school chemistry and physics teacher, was lauded for his long-term sustainability efforts. In particular, Don and his wife Carol have converted space on their lot in the East Street District into a neighborhood garden, allowing several neighbors to use nine plots in this space.
Jeffco’s Toll Highway Bill: DOA

This is the sort of thing I suspect Jeffco would like to build through Golden. Photo by Flickr user Hytok.
From my perspective, it’s unfortunate that we weren’t able to reach an agreement back in December with Jeffco, Arvada, and Broomfield (after months of intense negotiations). We came close, but they ultimately insisted on language that would have undermined Golden’s ability to protect itself from highway projects being forced on us. For me, and for the City Council at the time, that was a line we simply would not cross.
I’m very glad that Mayor Sloan, the City Council, and the City of Golden staff worked as hard as they did to kill this bill. A reasonable solution that respect’s everyone’s needs is one thing; a situation where some communities can force something on another community is something else. I continue to support an agreement that truly protects Golden, and I hope City Council continues to support this two-pronged strategy: work hard for a reasonable agreement, but fight hard against anything – like this bill – that places an unreasonable burden or risk on our community.
Councilor Fisher published a good newsletter post on this issue as well; it’s worth a read.
“Ethics in Business” Luncheon, City Council Agenda, and Other Upcoming Events
April 12, Ethics in Business Luncheon
It’s at the Denver Marriott West from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. You’ll find more info about the event on the Rotary Club of Golden website.
April 12, City Council Business Meeting
City Hall at 7 p.m. The agenda includes awarding the utilities replacement bid, several proclamations, interviews for appointments to the Golden Urban Renewal Authority board, a couple of ordinances dealing with sidewalk seating and liquor licenses, first reading on an ordinance that would require licenses for retailers selling non-cigarette tobacco products, landscaping requirements for commercial and multifamily properties, and awarding this round of i-Neighborhood Matching Grants. Download the agenda and the entire City Council packet.
April 13, “The Two of Us” opens at Miners Alley
The new Miners Alley play runs through May 20.
April 14, Coffee With a Councilor
You’ll find City Councilors from District 1 (South Golden), including Saoirse Charis-Graves and maybe others as well at Read, Write and Brew starting at 9 a.m. It’s a great informal opportunity to chat with your City Council representatives about the pedestrian bridge over U.S. 6, the South Neighborhoods Plan, or whatever else is on your mind.
April 18, One Book One Golden Event
One Book One Golden: An event with Craig Barnes, the author of “Growing Up True.” 7 p.m. at Foss Auditorium (American Mountaineering Center).
April 21, Golden Town Hall Meeting
This town hall meeting (every third Saturday) is hosted by Golden’s state legislators. It runs from 10-11:30 a.m. at Golden City Hall.
May 5-6, Golden Golden Community Pride Days
The city provides a free opportunity for community members to dispose of rubbish, construction materials, scrap metal, tires, electronics, untreated lumber, and brush and tree limbs. The Informer includes a coupon good for one curbside appliance pickup. For hazardous materials you’ll need to make arrangements with the Rooney Road Recycling Center. For details, check out the Golden Community Pride Days website.
A Final Report to the Community: 2008-2011
Last week I finished up my last official city project, a final report to the community on what City Council accomplished over the past four years. If you live in Golden, you should have received it in your mailbox, but you can download it as well.
Radio Golden Episode #3: the Beltway Lawsuit, Jeffco’s Emergency Notification System, Downtown Liquor Licenses, and More
Radio Golden Episode #3 features an interview with the executive director of one of the environmental groups suing the federal government to stop the proposed toll highway north of Golden. We also cover Jeffco’s emergency notification system, Golden’s Community Wildfire Community Protection Plan, downtown Golden liquor licenses (and especially outdoor seating), and more. Check out the main podcast (Episode #3) and check out the extended interview with Josh Pollock.
Radio Golden Episode #2: Mike Murphy, Sprawl, Rude Trail Users, and More
Radio Golden Episode #2, featuring an interview with Mike Murphy, discussion about sprawl north of Golden and the library’s potential expansion, a rant about rude trail users, and more is available on the Radio Golden website. You can listen to or download Episode #2 and the Episode #2 Extended Interview, or you can just subscribe to the Radio Golden podcast through iTunes.




